Method of playing a card game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a card game comprising; providing at least one playing card to each of at least two participants to begin a hand; performing at least one round of betting, wherein each of the at least one round of betting comprises each of the at least two participants successively choosing between placing a bet, not placing a bet or surrendering the at least one playing card; and wherein a participant surrendering the at least one playing card surrenders the at least one playing card without revealing a value of the at least one playing card, unless the participant surrendering the at least one playing card causes action in the hand to end, then each remaining participant of the at least two participants must reveal the value of the at least one playing card to the at least two participants; and determining at least one winning participant.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention generally relates to a method for playing a cardgame and, more particularly, to a method of playing a variation ofpoker.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, casino card games have seen an increased popularity. Inparticular, poker has received considerable attention. A wide range ofvariations exist with regard to the game play of poker, with eachvariation having its own set of rules and betting structure. The vastmajority of variations fall within two distinct categories, known asstud and community card games.

Both stud and community card games involve multiple rounds ofdistributing playing cards to the game participants (“players”), eachfollowed by a round of betting. In stud games, each player receives apredetermined number of cards for personal use. The cards may be givento the player such that the value of the cards are exposed to the otherplayers (“face up”) or such that the value of the cards are visible onlyto that player using the card (“face down”). Conversely, in communitycard games each player receives a predetermined number of cards forpersonal use and a second predetermined number of cards for all playersto use (“community cards”). The cards for personal use may be given tothe player either face up, face down, or a combination thereof.

In each round of betting each participant chooses whether to place abet, refrain from betting, or surrender his cards (“fold”). In the eventthat a player chooses to fold, he forfeits the opportunity toparticipate in the remainder of the game, thereby forfeiting any betsalready placed up until that point. Typically, a betting structure isestablished before the game begins. In each round of betting, any playerwho wishes to remain in the game must continuously match (“call”) orincrease (“raise”) the highest amount previously wagered. A round maycontinue up until a predetermined number of turns for each player. As aresult, at the end of any given round, all players who remain in thegame must have placed an equal amount of bets.

In each round of betting, any player who chooses to fold his cards mustsurrender all cards received in that round to the dealer. Throughout thegame, except for some limited circumstances, no player is required toshow the value of any face down cards distributed. However, by notallowing competing players to view the value of face down cards, theplayers are forced to base their playing strategy on limitedinformation.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved method of playingvariations of poker.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a method of playing a cardgame, comprising; providing at least one playing card to each of atleast two participants to begin a hand; performing at least one round ofbetting, wherein each of the at least one round of betting compriseseach of the at least two participants successively choosing betweenplacing a bet, not placing a bet or surrendering the at least oneplaying card; and wherein a participant surrendering the at least oneplaying card surrenders the at least one playing card without revealinga value of the at least one playing card, unless the participantsurrendering the at least one playing card causes action in the hand toend, then each remaining participant of the at least two participantsmust reveal the value of the at least one playing card to the at leasttwo participants; and determining at least one winning participant.

In some embodiments, a method of playing a poker card game withfifty-two conventional playing cards comprises: designating a dealer, afirst player adjacent to the dealer for placing a first bet, and asecond player adjacent to the first player for placing a second bet fora hand to be played; the dealer dealing two hole cards, face-down, toeach of a plurality of players; requiring each of the plurality ofplayers, beginning with a third player adjacent to the second player andcontinuing clockwise among all of the plurality of players, afterviewing only their respective hole cards, to participate in a firstround of betting; wherein the first round of betting comprises requiringeach of the plurality of players to select from a plurality of decisionsincluding, placing a first minimum bet, raising by betting an amountgreater than a highest preceding amount bet by another of the pluralityof players during the first round of betting, or folding by surrenderingthe respective hole cards face-down, unless choosing to fold causesaction in the hand to stop, then a player choosing to fold willsurrender the respective hole cards face-up and the plurality of playersremaining in the hand will expose a value of their respective holecards; if at least two of the plurality of players remain in the hand,the dealer dealing three community cards face-up, wherein each communitycard is usable by any of the plurality of players remaining in the handto form a five card poker hand; requiring each of the plurality ofplayers remaining in the hand, beginning with a first remaining playerto the left of the dealer and continuing clockwise among the pluralityof players remaining in the hand to participate in a second round ofbetting; wherein the second round of betting comprises requiring each ofthe plurality of players remaining in the hand to select from aplurality of decisions including, checking by indicating no bet is to beplaced, placing a second minimum bet, raising by betting an amountgreater than a highest preceding amount bet by another one of theplurality of players during the second round of betting, or folding bysurrendering the respective hole cards face-down, unless choosing tofold causes action in the hand to stop, then a player choosing to foldwill surrender the respective hole cards face-up and the plurality ofplayers remaining in the hand will expose a value of their respectivehole cards; if at least two of the plurality of players remain in thehand, the dealer dealing a fourth community card face-up, wherein eachcommunity card is usable by any of the plurality of players remaining inthe hand to form a five card poker hand; requiring each of the pluralityof players remaining in the hand, beginning with the first remainingplayer to the left of the dealer and continuing clockwise among all ofthe plurality of players remaining in the hand to participate in a thirdround of betting; wherein the third round of betting comprises requiringeach of the plurality of players remaining in the hand to select from aplurality of decisions including, checking by indicating no bet is to beplaced, placing a second minimum bet, raising by betting an amountgreater than a highest preceding amount bet by another one of theplurality of players during the second round of betting, or folding bysurrendering the respective hole cards face-down, unless choosing tofold causes action in the hand to stop, then a player choosing to foldwill surrender the respective hole cards face-up and the plurality ofplayers remaining players will expose a value of their respective holecards; if at least two of the plurality of players remain in the hand,the dealer dealing a fifth community card face-up, wherein eachcommunity card is usable by any of the plurality of players remaining inthe hand to form a five card poker hand; requiring each of the pluralityof players remaining in the hand, beginning with the first remainingplayer to the left of the dealer and continuing clockwise among all ofthe plurality of players remaining in the hand to participate in afourth round of betting; wherein the fourth round of betting comprisesrequiring each of the plurality of players remaining in the hand toselect from a plurality of decisions including, checking by indicatingno bet is to be placed, placing a second minimum bet, raising by bettingan amount greater than a highest preceding amount bet by another one ofthe plurality of players during the second round of betting, or foldingby surrendering the respective hole cards face-down, unless choosing tofold causes action in the hand to stop, then a player choosing to foldwill surrender the respective hole cards face-up and the plurality ofplayers remaining in the hand will expose a value of their respectivehole cards; and determining a winner of the hand by comparing arespective poker hand of each of the plurality of players remaining inthe hand to one another according to a predetermined poker rankingsystem, wherein the respective poker hand of each of the plurality ofplayers remaining in the hand comprises five cards selected from atleast one of the respective hole cards or the five community cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention, briefly summarized above anddiscussed in greater detail below, can be understood by reference to theillustrative embodiments of the invention depicted in the appendeddrawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended figuresillustrate only exemplary embodiments of this invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the inventionmay admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a method for playing a card game in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of oneembodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments withoutfurther recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method forplaying a card game. The inventive method includes a method for playinga variation of poker, for example stud, and community card poker games.The inventive method may advantageously provide participants informationon which to base strategic in-game decisions through requiring certainplayers to reveal their otherwise unseen cards.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a method for playing a card game in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention. To best understand theinvention, the reader should refer simultaneously to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The method 100 comprises a single round (“hand”), which may be repeatedany number of times to constitute a full game. For example, a full gamemay comprise of continually playing hands until all but one playerresigns, a predetermined number of hands, a predetermined time frame inwhich any number of hands may occur, or the like. It is to be understoodthat the method 100 may be performed using various betting structures inaccordance with different forms of poker, such as 5 or 7 Card Stud,Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hold'em, Razz, or the like. For example, in someembodiments, prior to beginning the method at 102, all participants inthe game may be required to place an initial minimum bet (“ante”) toparticipate in the hand. In some embodiments, such as embodimentsconforming to the standard betting structure of Texas Hold'em, theparticipant to the immediate left of the dealer is required to place aninitial bet of a first predetermined amount (“small blind”) and theparticipant to the left of the participant placing the small blind isrequired to place an initial bet of a second predetermined amount (“bigblind”).

The method 100 begins at 102, where at least one playing card isprovided to the game participants. In some embodiments, the at least oneplaying card may be a “community card”, that is, the at least one cardis provided for use by all the players simultaneously. In someembodiments, at least one playing card may be a “hole card”, that is,the at least one playing card may be provided to each participant foruse only by the respective participant receiving the at least oneplaying card. In such embodiments, all participants receive the sameamount of playing cards, however, any amount of playing cards may beprovided. For example, each participant may receive between 1 and 4playing cards. In some embodiments, such as in community card gamesfollowing standard Texas Hold'em rules, each participant may receive 2hole cards. In some embodiments, such as in community card gamesfollowing standard Omaha Hold'em rules, each participant may receive 4hole cards.

The playing cards provided to each player may be positioned so thatvalue of the playing card is visible to every participant (“face up”) ormay be provided so that the value of the playing card may be visible toonly the respective participant receiving the playing card (“facedown”). In some embodiments, for example where each participant receivesmore than one playing card, the playing cards may be provided such thata first amount of playing cards are provided face up and a second amountof cards are provided face down. For example, a participant may receive1 card face up and 1 card face down, 2 cards face down and 1 card faceup, 4 cards face down, or any other combination of face up and face downcards. In some embodiments, for example in embodiments conforming tostandard Texas Hold'em rules, a participant may receive 2 hole cardspositioned face down.

The playing cards may be provided to each player in any order, forexample each participant may be provided one card at a time startingwith a designated participant and proceeding in a clockwise or counterclockwise manner until all participants are provided the same amount ofplaying cards.

Next at 104, a round of betting is performed. FIG. 2, described below,illustrates the betting procedure that may lead to a number ofparticipants folding. After the round of betting 104 is complete, themethod proceeds to 118, where it is determined if there is more than oneparticipant remaining in the hand (i.e., more than one player has notfolded). If it is determined that there is not more than one participantremaining in the hand, the method proceeds to 122, where a winner isdetermined. In this particular instance, the winner of the hand is theremaining participant.

If more than one participant remains in the hand, the method proceeds to120 where it is determined whether a predetermined number of cards havebeen provided. The predetermined number of cards may be any number ofcards established prior to the beginning of the hand. For example, insome embodiments, the predetermined number of cards may be between 5 and9 cards. If the predetermined number of cards have not been provided,the method returns to 102 where at least one playing card is providedand the method repeats, as described above. If the predetermined numberof cards has been provided, the method proceeds to 122 where a winner isdetermined.

Next, at 122, a winner is determined. In some embodiments, the winner isthe participant who possesses a combination of playing cards (“a hand”)closest to a predetermined value of a combination of playing cards.

In some embodiments, the winning hand may be highest valued handpossessed by a participant in that round or the winning hand may be thelowest valued hand possessed by a participant in that round. In someembodiments, there may be two or more winning hands. For example, thetwo winning hands may comprise a first winning hand comprising thehighest value hand and a second winning hand comprising the lowestvalued hand.

A hand may comprise any predetermined number of playing cards, such as5, 7, 9, or the like. In some embodiments, such as embodiments wherecommunity cards are provided to participants, a winning hand maycomprise the highest valued combination of 5 playing cards selected froma group of at least one community cards or hole cards. In someembodiments, the winning hand may comprise the lowest valued combinationof 5 playing cards selected from a combination of hole and communitycards. In some embodiments there may be two winning hands, wherein onewinner possesses the highest valued combination of 5 playing cards andone winner possesses the lowest valued combination of 5 playing cards.

In some embodiments, the predetermined value of a group of cards isestablished according to the value of poker hands. For example, inembodiments where a standard 52 playing card deck is used, the value ofindividual hands may be determined as follows, in decreasing value:royal flush (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 of the same suit), straightflush (five consecutive cards of the same suit), four of a kind (fourcards having the same value), full house (three cards having one valueand two cards having a second value), flush (five cards of the samesuit), straight (five consecutive cards), three of a kind (three cardshaving the same value), two pair (two cards having the same first valueand two cards having the same second value), one pair (two cards havingthe same value), and the highest single value card.

In some embodiments, for example in embodiments of community card games,it may be predetermined how many cards of each group of community cardsor hole cards must be used to form a hand. For example, in someembodiments, each participant may only use 2 hole cards and 3 communitycards to form a 5 card hand, 1 hole card and 4 community cards to form a5 card hand, or the like. In some embodiments, each participant may useany combination of hole and community cards desired. For example, insome embodiments, each participant may use no hole cards and 5 communitycards to form a 5 card hand.

In some embodiments, for example in embodiments of stud card games, itmay be predetermined how many cards of each round may be used to form ahand. For example, a participant may be required to use an exact amount,a limited amount, or a minimum amount of cards from the first group ofat least one card provided at 102. In some embodiments, the participantsmay use any amount of cards from each round to create a 5 card hand.

FIG. 2 illustrates the betting procedure performed during a round ofbetting 104 in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. The round of betting 104 begins at 202, where a participantacts. The first participant to act in any given round may bepredetermined prior to the beginning of the round. For example, in someembodiments, the first participant to act may be the participant locatedto the immediate left of a dealer, or may be the second participant tothe left, the third to the left, or the like. In some embodiments, thefirst participant to act may be a different participant in each round.For example, in some embodiments, such as embodiments conforming tostandard rules of 5 or 7 card stud, the first participant to act may bethe participant possessing the lowest valued face up card, the lowestvalued combination of face up cards, the highest valued face up card, orthe highest valued combination of face up cards received prior to thatround of betting.

The participant has the option of choosing whether to place a bet, notplace a bet (“check”), or surrender his cards (“fold”). A participantchoosing to place a bet is required to place a bet in an amount equal to(“call”) or greater than (“raise”) any previous bet placed in that roundof betting. In some embodiments, a predetermined minimum amount of whicha participant may bet may be established. However, if no otherparticipants have placed a bet in that round of betting the actingparticipant may choose to not place a bet.

The method proceeds to 204, where it is determined whether a participantchooses to fold. A participant who chooses to fold surrenders any cardsprovided to that participant and forfeits the opportunity to participatein the remainder of that particular hand, in addition to forfeiting anybets previously made in the same hand. If the participant does not fold,the method proceeds to 214, described below.

At 206, a determination is made as to whether the participant who foldedcauses the round of betting to end. If the fold causes the round ofbetting to end at 206, a determination is made as to whether theparticipant who folded causes the action of the hand to end. Forexample, if the participant who chooses to fold is the last player inthe round to act, the round has ended. However, if by folding, thepossibility of any other participant acting (i.e., raising, betting,checking) for the rest of the hand is eliminated, the fold has furthercaused the action of the hand to end. If the fold has caused the actionof the hand to end 208, all remaining participants, including theparticipant who has folded and caused the action in the hand to end,must turn their face down cards (hole cards) face up, thereby exposingthe value of the cards 210. In some embodiments, if the fold has causedthe action of the hand to end 208, all remaining participants, exceptfor the participant who has folded and caused the action in the hand toend, must turn their face down cards (hole cards) face up, therebyexposing the value of the cards 210.

However, if the fold does not cause the round of betting to stop 206, orif the fold causes the round of betting to stop, but has not ended theaction in the hand 208, then the method proceeds to 214.

Next, at 214, it is determined whether all the participants did act. Ifall of the participants have not acted, the method returns to 202 andthe next remaining participant acts, and the method, as discussed above,repeats. If all participants have acted, the method proceeds to 216,where it is determined whether all of the participants who are remaining(i.e., all the participants who have not chosen to fold) have bet thesame amount. In some embodiments, the total bet made by each participantmust be equal to that of the highest bet made in that round. If theanswer is no, the method returns to 202 where the next participant whohas not made a wager equal to that of the highest bet made that roundmust again act. Each participant is required to place a bet at leastequal to that of the highest bet made in that round or they must fold.The method then continues to 204 as described above. If all remainingparticipants have bet the same amount the method proceeds to 188 asdescribed above.

Within each round of betting 104, the method may repeat a number oftimes, causing each participant to act more than once. For example, thenumber of times may be a predetermined number, wherein once thepredetermined number is reached the participants are only allowed toplace a bet equal to that of the highest bet previously made.Alternatively, the number of times may not be predetermined and continueuntil all players bet the same amount or all but one player folds.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof. For example, the followingillustrates embodiments of the present invention as it may relate to acard game following the standard rules and betting structure of TexasHold'em.

The game is played with a standard 52 card deck. A minimum of twoparticipants (“players”) are required to play. Typically, a designatednon-participating person (“dealer”) distributes (“deals”) the cards tothe players and facilitates game play. However, players may also dealthe cards. A dealer designator (“button”) is rotated amongst the playersto virtually represent the dealer position, allowing the order of theplayers to change without having to require players to change placesaround the gaming table during game play.

The two players to the immediate left of the dealer are required toplace an initial bet. The first player to immediate left of the dealerplaces a “small blind”, that is, a bet of a lower amount than thepredetermined minimum. The second player to the immediate left of thedealer places a “big blind”, that is, a bet equal to that of thepredetermined minimum. In some embodiments, some or all players arerequired to place an initial bet that is equal to one another (“ante”).

Referring to FIG. 1, play begins at 102 with the dealer distributing(“dealing”) two cards to each player (“hole cards”), face down. Cardsare dealt one at a time in a clockwise fashion, starting with the playerwho places the initial small blind and ending with the player who sitsin the position where the button is placed.

Next at 104, a round of betting is performed, as described below inreference to FIG. 2. After the round of betting 104 is complete, thegame proceeds to 118. If there is only one player remaining in the hand,(i.e., all but one player has folded) the remaining player is the winner122. If there are two or more players remaining in the game (i.e., morethan one player has not folded), the game returns to 102 where thedealer deals three community cards face up (“flop”). In someembodiments, the dealer may discard (“burn”) the first card from the topof the deck of cards prior to dealing the flop.

An additional round of betting 104 is then performed. Following thesecond round of betting 104, the game proceeds to 118. If there is onlyone player remaining in the hand, (i.e., all but one player has folded)the remaining player is the winner 122. If there are two or more playersremaining in the game (i.e., more than one player has not folded) thegame returns to 102 where the dealer deals an additional community cardface up (“turn”). In some embodiments, the dealer may discard (“burn”)the first card from the top of the deck of cards prior to dealing theturn.

An additional round of betting 104 is then performed. Following thethird round of betting 104, the game proceeds to 118. If there is onlyone player remaining in the hand, (i.e., all but one player has folded)the remaining player is the winner 122. If there are two or more playersremaining in the game (i.e., more than one player has not folded) thegame returns to 102 where the dealer deals an additional community cardface up (“river”). In some embodiments, the dealer may discard (“burn”)the first card from the top of the deck of cards prior to dealing theriver.

An additional round of betting 104 is then performed. Following thethird round of betting 104, the game proceeds to 118. If there is onlyone player remaining in the hand, (i.e., all but one player has folded)the remaining player is the winner 122. If there is more than one playerremaining in the hand, a winner is determined 122. Each playersuccessively turns their face down cards face up, starting with the lastplayer to take aggressive action by a bet or raise, or if no bet orraise was performed in the round of betting (e.g. all players checked),starting with the first player to the left of the button. Since theaction in the hand has ended, each remaining player is required to turntheir face down cards face up.

The winner is the player who possesses the highest valued combination of5 cards, comprising any number of cards from the hole cards and thecommunity cards (flop, turn and river cards). For example, thecombination may be made from 1 of the player's hole cards and 4 of thecommunity cards, 2 of the player's hole cards and 3 of the communitycards, or none of the hole cards and 5 of the community cards.

The value of the combinations of cards is determined according to thestandard value structure of poker hands. For example, the value ofindividual hands may be determined as follows, in decreasing value:royal flush (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 of the same suit), straightflush (five consecutive cards of the same suit), four of a kind (fourcards having the same value), full house (three cards having one valueand two cards having a second value), flush (five cards of the samesuit), straight (five consecutive cards), three of a kind (three cardshaving the same value), two pair (two cards having the same first valueand two cards having the same second value), one pair (two cards havingthe same value), and the highest single value card.

Referring to FIG. 2, the round of betting 104 begins at 202 where afirst player acts. In the first round of betting the first player to actis the player to the immediate left of the player who placed the initialbig blind bet. In subsequent rounds (second, third and fourth), thefirst player to act is the player to the immediate left of the dealer.

The acting player has the option of choosing whether to place a bet, notplace a bet (“check”), or surrender his cards (“fold”). The first actingplayer choosing to place a bet is required to place a bet of a minimumpredetermined amount. Any subsequent acting player must then place a betequal to (“call”) or greater than (“raise”) any previous bet placed inthat round of betting. In some embodiments, a predetermined minimumamount of which a participant may bet may be established. However, if noother players have placed a bet (e.g. all previous players have checked)in that round of betting the acting player may choose to not place abet, or check.

Next, at 204, it is determined whether the player has chosen to fold. Ifthe player does not fold, the method proceeds to 214, described below. Aplayer who chooses to fold 204 surrenders any cards provided to thatplayer and forfeits the opportunity to participate in the remainder ofthat particular hand, in addition to forfeiting any bets previously madein the same hand.

If the fold causes the round of betting to end at 206, a determinationis made as to whether the participant who folded causes the action ofthe hand to end 208. For example, if the player who chooses to fold isthe last player in the round to act, the round has ended. However, if byfolding, the possibility of any other player acting (i.e., raising,betting, checking) is eliminated for the remainder of the hand, the foldhas further caused the action of the hand to end. If the fold has causedthe action of the hand to end 208, all remaining players, including theplayer who has folded and caused the action in the hand to end, mustturn their face down cards (hole cards) face up, thereby exposing thevalue of the cards 210. In some embodiments, if the fold has caused theaction of the hand to end 208, all remaining players, except for theplayer who has folded and caused the action in the hand to end, mustturn their face down cards (hole cards) face up, thereby exposing thevalue of the cards 210.

However, if the fold does not cause the round of betting to stop 206, orif the fold causes the round of betting to stop, but has not ended theaction in the hand 208, then the method proceeds to 214.

At 214, where it is determined whether all the players did act. If allof the players have not acted, the next remaining player acts 202, andthe game, as discussed above, repeats. If all players have acted, it isdetermined whether all of the players who are remaining (i.e., all theparticipants who have not chosen to fold) have bet the same amount 216.If all remaining players have not bet the same amount, the next playerwho has not made a wager equal to that of the highest bet made thatround must again act 202. Each participant is required to place a bet atleast equal to that of the highest bet made in that round or they mustfold. The method then continues as described above. If all remainingplayers have bet the same amount the game proceeds to 118 as describedabove.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

1. A method of playing a card game, comprising: a) providing at leastone playing card to each of at least two participants to begin a hand;b) performing at least one round of betting, wherein each of the atleast one round of betting comprises each of the at least twoparticipants successively choosing between placing a bet, not placing abet or surrendering the at least one playing card; and wherein aparticipant surrendering the at least one playing card surrenders the atleast one playing card without revealing a value of the at least oneplaying card, unless the participant surrendering the at least oneplaying card causes action in the hand to end, then each remainingparticipant of the at least two participants must reveal the value ofthe at least one playing card to the at least two participants; and c)determining at least one winning participant.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein providing at least one playing card to each of the at least twoparticipants comprises: positioning the at least one playing card sothat the value of the at least one playing card is visible only to arespective one of the at least two participants.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein providing at least one playing card to each of the at leasttwo participants comprises: providing at least two playing cards to eachone of the at least two participants, wherein a first quantity of the atleast two playing cards is positioned so that the value of the firstquantity of the at least two playing cards is visible to allparticipants and a second quantity of the at least two playing cards ispositioned in so that the value of the second quantity of the at leasttwo playing cards is visible only to a respective one of the at leasttwo participants.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: d)providing at least one additional playing card to the at least twoparticipants; e) performing at least one round of betting wherein theround of betting comprises each of the at least two participantssuccessively choosing between placing a bet, not placing a bet orsurrendering the at least one playing card and the at least oneadditional playing card; and wherein a participant surrendering the atleast one playing card and the at least one additional playing cardsurrenders the at least one playing card without revealing a value ofthe at least one playing card, unless the participant surrendering theat least one playing card and the at least one additional playing cardcauses action in the hand to end, then each remaining participant of theat least two participants must reveal the value of the at least oneplaying card and the at least one additional playing card to the atleast two participants; wherein d)-e) occurs between b) and c).
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein d)-e) is repeated at least one time.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, wherein providing at least one additional playingcard further comprises: providing at least one additional playing cardto each of the at least two participants, wherein the at least oneadditional playing card is positioned so that the so that the value ofthe at least one additional playing card is visible to all participants.7. The method of claim 4, wherein providing at least one additionalplaying card further comprises: providing at least one additionalplaying card to each of the at least two participants, wherein the atleast one additional playing card is positioned so that the value of theat least one additional playing card is visible only to a respective oneof the at least two participants.
 8. The method of claim 4, whereinproviding at least one additional playing card further comprises:providing at least two additional playing cards to each one of the atleast two participants, wherein a first quantity of the at least twoadditional playing cards is positioned so that the value of the firstquantity of the at least two additional playing cards is visible to allparticipants and a second quantity of the at least two additionalplaying cards is positioned in so that the value of the second quantityof the at least two additional playing cards is visible only to arespective one of the at least two participants.
 9. The method of claim4, wherein providing at least one additional playing card furthercomprises: providing at least one additional playing card to a groupcomprising the at least two participants.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one winning participant is an only one of the atleast two participants who did not surrender the at least one playingcard.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one winningparticipant possesses a highest predetermined value of a combination ofplaying cards.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the highestpredetermined value of a combination of playing cards comprises at leastfive playing cards selected from a group of at least one of the at leastone playing card and the at least one additional playing card.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one winning participantpossesses a lowest predetermined value of a combination of playingcards.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lowest predeterminedvalue of a combination of playing cards comprises at least five playingcards selected from a group of at least one of the at least one playingcard and the at least one additional playing card.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one winning participant comprises twowinning participants wherein a first winning participant possesses ahighest predetermined value of a combination of playing cards and asecond winning participant possesses a lowest predetermined value of acombination of playing cards.
 16. A method of playing a card game,comprising: a) playing a standard poker game until one of at least twoparticipants causes hand to end; and b) upon one of the at least twoparticipants causing the hand to end, requiring each remainingparticipant of the at least two participants to reveal a value of atleast one playing card provided to each remaining participant of the atleast two participants.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the standardpoker game comprises at least one of Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hold'em, Razz,or Stud.
 18. A method of playing a poker card game with fifty-twoconventional playing cards, comprising: designating a dealer, a firstplayer adjacent to the dealer for placing a first bet, and a secondplayer adjacent to the first player for placing a second bet for a handto be played; the dealer dealing two hole cards, face-down, to each of aplurality of players; requiring each of the plurality of players,beginning with a third player adjacent to the second player andcontinuing clockwise among all of the plurality of players, afterviewing only their respective hole cards, to participate in a firstround of betting; wherein the first round of betting comprises requiringeach of the plurality of players to select from a plurality of decisionsincluding, placing a first minimum bet, raising by betting an amountgreater than a highest preceding amount bet by another of the pluralityof players during the first round of betting, or folding by surrenderingthe respective hole cards face-down, unless choosing to fold causesaction in the hand to stop, then a player choosing to fold willsurrender the respective hole cards face-up and the plurality of playersremaining in the hand will expose a value of their respective holecards; if at least two of the plurality of players remain in the hand,the dealer dealing three community cards face-up, wherein each communitycard is usable by any of the plurality of players remaining in the handto form a five card poker hand; requiring each of the plurality ofplayers remaining in the hand, beginning with a first remaining playerto the left of the dealer and continuing clockwise among the pluralityof players remaining in the hand to participate in a second round ofbetting; wherein the second round of betting comprises requiring each ofthe plurality of players remaining in the hand to select from aplurality of decisions including, checking by indicating no bet is to beplaced, placing a second minimum bet, raising by betting an amountgreater than a highest preceding amount bet by another one of theplurality of players during the second round of betting, or folding bysurrendering the respective hole cards face-down, unless choosing tofold causes action in the hand to stop, then a player choosing to foldwill surrender the respective hole cards face-up and the plurality ofplayers remaining in the hand will expose a value of their respectivehole cards; if at least two of the plurality of players remain in thehand, the dealer dealing a fourth community card face-up, wherein eachcommunity card is usable by any of the plurality of players remaining inthe hand to form a five card poker hand; requiring each of the pluralityof players remaining in the hand, beginning with the first remainingplayer to the left of the dealer and continuing clockwise among all ofthe plurality of players remaining in the hand to participate in a thirdround of betting; wherein the third round of betting comprises requiringeach of the plurality of players remaining in the hand to select from aplurality of decisions including, checking by indicating no bet is to beplaced, placing a second minimum bet, raising by betting an amountgreater than a highest preceding amount bet by another one of theplurality of players during the second round of betting, or folding bysurrendering the respective hole cards face-down, unless choosing tofold causes action in the hand to stop, then a player choosing to foldwill surrender the respective hole cards face-up and the plurality ofplayers remaining players will expose a value of their respective holecards; if at least two of the plurality of players remain in the hand,the dealer dealing a fifth community card face-up, wherein eachcommunity card is usable by any of the plurality of players remaining inthe hand to form a five card poker hand; requiring each of the pluralityof players remaining in the hand, beginning with the first remainingplayer to the left of the dealer and continuing clockwise among all ofthe plurality of players remaining in the hand to participate in afourth round of betting; wherein the fourth round of betting comprisesrequiring each of the plurality of players remaining in the hand toselect from a plurality of decisions including, checking by indicatingno bet is to be placed, placing a second minimum bet, raising by bettingan amount greater than a highest preceding amount bet by another one ofthe plurality of players during the second round of betting, or foldingby surrendering the respective hole cards face-down, unless choosing tofold causes action in the hand to stop, then a player choosing to foldwill surrender the respective hole cards face-up and the plurality ofplayers remaining in the hand will expose a value of their respectivehole cards; and determining a winner of the hand by comparing arespective poker hand of each of the plurality of players remaining inthe hand to one another according to a predetermined poker rankingsystem, wherein the respective poker hand of each of the plurality ofplayers remaining in the hand comprises five cards selected from atleast one of the respective hole cards or the five community cards. 19.The method of claim 18, wherein the second, third and fourth round ofbetting further comprises: requiring a player choosing to check to placea bet equal to that of a subsequent bet made in the round of betting.20. The method of claim 18, wherein forming a five card poker handcomprises; each of the plurality of players remaining in the handselecting five cards from at least one of the respective hole cards orthe five community cards.